Tim Pernetti resigns as Rutgers athletic director

Friday

Apr 5, 2013 at 10:32 AMApr 5, 2013 at 1:40 PM

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Tim Pernetti resigned as Rutgers athletic director on Friday, two days after the basketball coach he hired was dismissed for abusive behavior during practices – actions that prompted nationwide outrage once a video went public.

The Associated Press

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Tim Pernetti resigned as Rutgers athletic director on Friday, two days after the basketball coach he hired was dismissed for abusive behavior during practices – actions that prompted nationwide outrage once a video went public.

In a letter of resignation sent to university president Robert Barchi, Pernetti said he hoped that his tenure at Rutgers “will not be judged by this one incident.”

When he first saw the video of Rice pushing, shoving and throwing balls at players in November, Pernetti said he wanted to fire him on the spot. However, he said the consensus among school officials at the time was the actions didn’t call for dismissal.

The video was broadcast Tuesday on ESPN, showing numerous clips of Rice at practice firing basketballs at players, grabbing them by their jerseys and yelling obscenities in addition to gay slurs.

“I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the events which led to today,” Pernetti said in his resignation letter to Barchi. “As you know, my first instincts when I saw the videotape of Coach Rice’s behavior was to fire him immediately. However, Rutgers decided to follow a process involving university lawyers, human resources professionals, and outside counsel.

“Following review of the independent investigative report, the consensus was that university policy would not justify dismissal. I have admitted my role in, and regret for, that decision, and wish that I had the opportunity to go back and override it for the sake of everyone involved,” it said.